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Lifeline Eligibility Requirements

Important: This eligibility information is for reference only. Final eligibility determination is made by program administrators. We are not affiliated with any government agency and cannot determine eligibility.

Eligibility for free government iPhone programs through Lifeline and ACP is based on household income or participation in qualifying assistance programs. Understanding the eligibility requirements is the first step toward accessing these benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify for Lifeline and ACP benefits if your household meets one of the following criteria:

Income-Based Eligibility

Your household income must be at or below the following thresholds:

  • Lifeline: 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
  • ACP: 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines

Household income includes income from all members of your household. The poverty guidelines are updated annually and vary by household size and state (with higher thresholds for Alaska and Hawaii).

Program-Based Eligibility

You automatically qualify if anyone in your household participates in any of these programs:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly Food Stamps
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
  • Tribal programs (Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Tribal Head Start)

Additional Requirements

In addition to income or program participation, you must also:

  • Be at least 18 years old (or be an emancipated minor)
  • Be a U.S. resident in a participating state or territory
  • Not already receive a Lifeline benefit (only one per household)
  • Provide proof of identity, address, and eligibility

Eligibility Checker

Quick Eligibility Check

Use this tool to get a preliminary assessment of your eligibility. This is not an official determination—final eligibility is determined by program administrators.

Leave blank if applying based on program participation

Household Definition

Understanding what constitutes a "household" is important for eligibility:

  • A household includes all individuals who live at the same address and share income and expenses
  • Roommates who do not share expenses are considered separate households
  • Only one Lifeline benefit and one ACP benefit per household
  • All household members' income is counted for income-based eligibility

Next Steps

If you believe you may be eligible:

  1. Review the required documents you'll need to gather
  2. Visit the official National Verifier website to apply
  3. Research participating providers in your area
  4. Contact providers directly to learn about available devices and plans

Need Help Determining Eligibility?

For official eligibility determination, visit the National Verifier or contact a participating provider. We provide informational content only and cannot determine eligibility or process applications.